NW Iowa Credit Union Members Vote Down Proposed Merger
(Le Mars) — During the past couple of months members of the Northwest Iowa Credit Union based in Le Mars had the opportunity to vote on a proposed merger with the Siouxland Federal Credit Union headquartered in Sioux City.
Steve DeBoer is the Chief Executive Officer of the Northwest Iowa Credit Union and says the Siouxland Federal Credit Union approached the Le Mars based financial institution in hopes to broaden its market.
DeBoer says the membership of the Northwest Iowa Credit Union voted in a decisive manner to remain independent and forego the proposed merger with the Siouxland Federal Credit Union.
DeBoer says since the membership voted overwhelming to remain as an independent credit union, he doesn’t see any additional attempts to having the merger proposed in the future. DeBoer says both financial institutions are doing well, and there was no reason for concern about either credit union having any financial problems.
The Northwest Iowa Credit Union official says he was pleased with the voter turnout by the membership with regards to the proposed merger.
DeBoer says the Le Mars-based credit union will now be conducting business as usual.
Loutsch Family Will Hold Annual Tractor Parade In Oyens
(Le Mars) — Many people are wondering about the region’s traditional events as they relate to the Independence Day holiday. Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 virus, some of the events have been cancelled. The annual 4th of July parade, in Le Mars, along with the luncheon normally held at the Plymouth County Historical Museum have been cancelled, included is the annual watermelon feed that has been held on the grounds of the museum, that event will have to wait until 2021. In Oyens, the Loutsch family has held their tractor parade showcasing the extensive line of antique tractors for the past 25 years. Mark Loutsch says the annual tractor parade will again take place for this year’s 4th of July, but with some changes.
Normally, the annual Oyens 4th of July tractor parade will showcase more than 100 antique tractors. However, Loutsch believes that number may be reduced for this year’s parade.
In past years, the Loutsch family would display all the antique agricultural machines during an open house allowing the public to get an up close view of the equipment. Loutsch says that won’t happen this year.
Loutsch is inviting his friends and neighbors who are farmers to drive their own tractor and join in on the annual parade.
The Oyens tractor parade will get started at around 12:00 noon on Saturday, the 4th.
Le Mars Fireworks Show To Be Featured Sunday Evening, July 5th
(Le Mars) — Le Mars Fire Chief Dave Schipper recently reassured the city council that there will be a fireworks sky show that will be held in Le Mars. However, Schipper says it will be held on Sunday evening, July 5th instead of Saturday, July 4th.
Schipper explains why it is not possible to hold the fireworks show on Saturday evening.
The Le Mars fire chief says holding the show on Sunday evening may be most beneficial for all concern.
Schipper says another benefit to holding the event on Sunday, July 5th, is those people who may leave Le Mars for the weekend, will most likely be returning Sunday evening, and they will be able to enjoy the city’s fireworks show. KLEM will again provide music as a backdrop during the Skyshow.
17 Black Lives Matter Protesters Arrested At State Capitol
(Des Moines) — Des Moines police and state patrol troopers arrested 17 Black Lives Matter protesters at the Iowa Capitol Wednesday afternoon. Des Moines Police Sergeant Paul Parizek (puh-REE-zick) says officers arrested three activists inside the building on charges related to a June 20th protest at a Des Moines Hy-Vee.
Parizek says a protester tried to block officers’ path and police moved to arrest that person. A protester told WHO-TV police were the aggressors. Protesters tried to pull their peers away from other officers making arrests. One protester jumped on an officer’s back. Pepper spray was used during the melee.
The state patrol gave a dispersal order and the remaining protesters left. The 17 Black Lives Matter protesters arrested Wednesday at the state Capitol were released on bond later in the evening.
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Airline Traffic Picking Up At Des Moines International Airport
(Des Moines, IA) — When the numbers are finally in officials at Des Moines International Airport expect June passenger traffic to be about 20 percent of last year’s level. That would mean a little over 50 thousand travelers passed through the airport. The number of passengers flying into and out of the airport has been increasing since it hit rock bottom in April. The coronavirus pandemic has cut the number of non-stop destinations available in half. In the past, the summer months have been the busiest for the Des Moines airport.
Budget Cuts Coming To Iowa Hawkeyes Athletic Department
(Iowa City, IA) — Some top officials in the Iowa Hawkeyes athletic department will be taking sizeable pay cuts. That department will be dealing with a 15-million-dollar reduction in funding during the next fiscal year. The school reports coaches Kirk Ferentz, Fran McCaffery, Tom Brands and Lisa Bluder will each take a 15-percent pay cut. Athletics Director Gary Barta and Deputy Athletics Director Barbara Burke will take home paychecks 25-to-30 percent lighter.
Perry Man Charged With Attempted Murder
(Perry, IA) — A 31-year-old Perry man faces a charge of attempted murder for an assault reported in March. Deputies were called to the Dallas County Hospital March 2nd. A person with severe face and head injuries identified Michael Godwin as their attacker. Godwin is accused of hitting the victim with a metal jack handle. He was arrested Wednesday and is being held in the Dallas County Jail.
